US calls on Colombo, LTTE to rebuild trust

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 August 2004, 07:11 GMT]
United States of America Thursday urged the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers to “take steps to work to rebuild trust and schedule the promised talks as soon as possible”. The US embassy issued a press release regarding the current state of the peace process in Sri Lanka after US Deputy Secretary of state Mr. Richard Armitage reviewed the situation in Sri Lanka with U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mr. Jeffrey Lunstead, according to the statement.

Full text of the US press release follows:

President Kumaratunga has shown her desire to move forward on the peace process launched with the 2002 cease-fire. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam needs to respond positively and enter talks with the Sri Lankan Government. The cease-fire and a return to negotiations represent the best hope for Sri Lanka's future as a peaceful, prosperous, and unified nation.

The United States stands ready to implement commitments to aid in Sri Lanka's reconstruction, but this will only be possible through a continuation of the peace process.

Real progress towards peace and an end to violence in word and deed can begin the process of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's entering the political mainstream, and result in assistance for areas in the north and east most affected by conflict. Assassinations and suicide bombings are unacceptable. The recruitment of child soldiers must cease.